Tree Commission

(This page discusses the City Council-appointed Tree Commission.  For information on the City’s Urban Forestry program, tree permitting, and tree education, please see the Urban Forestry page.)

The Takoma Park Tree Commission was established “to preserve, protect and promote the urban forest of Takoma Park” and to hear appeals from tree permit decisions.

The Tree Commission has two main functions:

1. Advisory: The Tree Commission, with the assistance of the Urban Forest Manager, proposes rules, regulations, procedures and actions to be taken by the City to preserve and protect the urban forest, subject to the approval of the Council, and performs any other related duties assigned by the Council by ordinance or resolution.
2. Quasi-Judicial: to hear appeals from tree permit decisions, either from residents who have been denied a permit from the City to remove a tree or to conduct a restricted project around trees, or from neighbors who may object to the removal of a tree or project that has been given preliminary approval from the City Arborist.

See the following City Code sections regarding the Tree Commission:

• 2.17              BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
• 12.04.130    Tree Commission
• 12.12.087     Tree permit appeal hearings and decisions.

Tree Commission Hearing Decisions

One of the Tree Commission’s primary responsibilities is to hear appeals to preliminary approvals and denials for Tree Removal and Tree Protection Plan permits issued by the Urban Forest Manager.   See below for a record of Decisions issued by the Tree Commission.

Membership

The Tree Commission is composed of seven members appointed by the City Council. Each member serves a three-year term, ending June 30, and may apply for re-appointment to another term. Any interested resident of Takoma Park may apply to become a Tree Commissioner. Current Commission members are:

Tree Commission Members

Tree Commission Meetings

The Tree Commission meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm, in the Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Avenue)*. The meetings (and hearings) are open to the public.

*Due to the COVID pandemic, some meetings may be held remotely. Please see the committee meeting calendar for Zoom links to register to view a meeting or meeting location.

For more information, please contact the Urban Forest Manager who serves as the liaison to the Tree Commission: urbanforestmanager@takomaparkmd.gov.

2022 Tree Commission Agendas and Minutes

Archival Meeting Agenda & Minutes